Travel, Fuel, and Time
A trip follows a direct route, burns one unit of fuel per unit of distance, and takes as long as the distance divided by the ship's speed.
Contents
What It Is and Why It Matters
Routes connect ports in pairs, in both directions. Perseus Watch is linked to the rest of the world only through Altair Exchange. New routes appear when you survey systems. The table shows the starting world as of November 6.
| Route | Distance and fuel | Risk | Courier, world hours | Bulk Hauler, world hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helios Port ↔ Vega Station | 6 | 0.05 | 3 | 6 |
| Helios Port ↔ Altair Exchange | 12 | 0.18 | 6 | 12 |
| Vega Station ↔ Altair Exchange | 7 | 0.1 | 3.5 | 7 |
| Helios Port ↔ Orion Industrial Hub | 8 | 0.22 | 4 | 8 |
| Vega Station ↔ Orion Industrial Hub | 9 | 0.14 | 4.5 | 9 |
| Altair Exchange ↔ Perseus Watch | 14 | 0.32 | 7 | 14 |
One world hour currently equals two real seconds. This is a setting of the current simulation, and the pace of the world may change later.
Getting Started
- Ask the deputy about a route.
- Look at the fuel and the time.
- Confirm the departure. If the tank is low, the server buys exactly the missing fuel at the local ask, unless you have forbidden it.
Example
"Check the Helios → Vega route for the Bulk Hauler: how long it takes, how much fuel it needs, and what threat the forecast shows."
In the starting world as of November 6 the answer is: 6 fuel, 6 world hours, risk 0.05. Fuel cost 6 at Helios, 14 at Orion, and 16 at Perseus. Prices change.
Limits and Risks
- You can only fly along a direct route. From Helios to Perseus you have to go through Altair.
- The tank is filled only at departure and only for that trip. You cannot refuel "in reserve." Fuel in the cargo hold is ordinary cargo and does not move into the tank by itself.
- Only Helios Port and Vega Station produce fuel. At Orion and Perseus the port authority's stock is small and does not replenish on its own, so a ship can get stranded if the fuel sells out.
- Risk is a forecast, not combat. There are no attacks on ships in the game.
- A ship in transit cannot be recalled.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming a trip costs nothing if no fuel was bought. Fuel from the tank is consumed too, and the estimate accounts for replacing it.
- Flying to a distant port without checking the fuel for the return leg.
What's Next
See the map of all ports and warehouses.
Checked against the game server code: 2026-11-06. Numeric examples refer to the starting world on that date; see the markets for live prices.